Our Story
The watch never stops.
Cover 6 was started by a Marine who believes service does not end when the uniform comes off.
How it started
Joseph Ferland served in the United States Marine Corps from 1996 to 2004. Today he owns Homan & Homan Air Conditioning & Heating, a veteran-owned company on Long Island.
After years of running a business, Joseph saw how many veterans fall through the cracks once they come home, and how few groups give them a real place to land. He started Cover 6 Foundation to do something about it. Not with a campaign or a one-time event, but with homes, partners, and a plan that can keep going year after year.
What the name means
In the military, "I've got your six" means "I'm watching your back." Covering someone means standing watch so they can keep moving. That is what we do for veterans after they leave the service.
Look closely at our logo. The word COVER has a faded reflection under it. That reflection stands for a life that got turned upside down. It is still there, still part of the whole, and it can be set right again. The gold 6 stands as tall as the word and its reflection together, because the watch never stops.
One family, three jobs
Cover 6 is one of three groups that work together. Each one has its own job.
MANA-C'S
The shared culture and identity of everyone who served, from every branch. Said "mana-sees."
VOB Corps
A network of veteran-owned businesses that helps customers find and hire veterans. Members pay a yearly fee, and the profits help fund Cover 6. vobcorps.com
Cover 6 Foundation
The nonprofit that turns that support into homes and help for veterans.
What MANA-C'S stands for
The letters stand for all six branches. No branch comes first.
The word "mana" means a strength that lives inside a person, and every veteran carries it. MANA-C'S is also a code for good times and bad: Maintain Accountability. Navigate Adversity. Commit & Stand.
Many Answered. Now a Community Stands.
You did not earn MANA-C'S by finding this website. You earned it the day you raised your right hand.
How we do the work
Every project follows the same five steps. We do not start a step until the one before it is finished, and no money moves until the work is checked.
- Feasibility and planning. Find the right property, check the numbers, and talk to the people who know the area.
- Capital and acquisition. Raise the money and buy the property.
- Renovation and readiness. Make it safe and get it inspected.
- Partners and move-in. Line up support and welcome veterans home.
- Steady and repeat. Keep it running well, then do it again.
Show up. Solve the problem. Don't need the thank-you. Walk away.
Stand watch with us
Give, help out, or partner with us. Every bit of it goes toward putting veterans in safe homes.